About Us
A Matter of Shelter
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, tax-exempt, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to working with people in need to improve the conditions in which they are forced to live. Its major purpose is to build homes for people who live in sub-standard housing and cannot afford to improve their living standards by conventional means.
Capital, Not Charity
Houses are built or renovated using as much volunteer labor and
donated materials as possible. Then, employing “biblical economics”,
they are sold to a family in need (those unable to secure a bank
loan) at no profit and no interest.
The cost of a house is repaid over a fixed time period; these payments
are then recycled to build more houses. The homeowners are required
to participate in the construction of their own new home, and to
help other prospective homeowners to build their houses.
Independent Affiliates
As a grass-roots movement, Habitat for Humanity is decentralized.
The Riverside organization is an affiliate project of Habitat for
Humanity International with its own board of directors and committee
structure.
We operate as an autonomous, non-profit corporation, and are supported
primarily through funds raised locally. The international headquarters
in Americas, Georgia, acts as a resource center and facilitator
for all habitat work.
People Helping People
Habitat for Humanity is not a government program. We work closely
with local government agencies and accept government assistance
for land acquisition and off-site development only. The building
is done by volunteers, and mostly donated construction materials
are used. We are building communities as we build homes.
Mission Statement
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside assists people in need with home ownership in partnership with our community.
History
1987
Doctor Barnett Grier led a group of community activists to form Habitat for Humanity, Riverside.
1988
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside was chartered by August 1988. The Board of Directors and committee members developed the foundation from which Habitat for Humanity, Riverside has grown. Their goal was to build one (1) house per year
1989
Calvary Presbyterian Church becomes the first Covenant church. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside hosts their first ground-breaking which is attended by Millard and Linda Fuller (Founders of Habitat for Humanity).
1990
First house under construction in Riverside on 14th Street. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside buys their second site in Casa Blanca
1991
The first Habitat for Humanity, Riverside family moves into their new home in Riverside. It's an 1183 square feet, 4 bedroom and 1½ bathrooms, single family home. This house was home to a family of 6 at the time of dedication. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside acquired four (4) lots in Belltown an unincorporated area of Riverside County.
1992
Centex builds the first home for Habitat for Humanity, Riverside in Belltown. Casa Blanca home on Evans is under construction.
1993
The City of Moreno Valley jumps on board and donates four (4) lots to Habitat for Humanity, Riverside for future projects. Victoria Community Church partners with Habitat for Humanity, Riverside and builds a house. Centex builds second home in Riverside County, Belltown.
1994
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside family moves into their new home in Riverside. It's a 573 square feet, 3 bedroom and 3 bathrooms, single family home. This house was home to a family of 5 at the time of dedication. The City of Corona jumps on board and donates a site for a future project.
1995
Habitat
for Humanity, Riverside family moves into their new home in Belltown,
in Riverside County. Its a 992 square feet, 3 bedroom and 1 bathrooms,
single family home. This house was home to a family of 4 at the
time of dedication. The City of Norco joined the ranks of Habitat
for Humanity, Riverside’s community partners and donates site for
a future project. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside and Centex partner
once again and start construction on another home in Corona. Habitat
for Humanity, Riverside joins the HFHI Jimmy Carter Blitz build
in one (1) week. The Riverside Housing Authority donates a house
in Jurupa. Corona commits for a second home with $100,000 to spend
on a house.
1996
Six,
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families move into their new homes
in Moreno Valley and Riverside: 3 homes on Scotty Lane in Moreno
Valley. Each is 1400 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
These 3 houses were home to 3 different families housing 18 people
at the time of dedication. 1 home on Bell Avenue in Riverside (Belltown)
1440 Square feet, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 
This house was a home
to a family of 3 at the time of dedication. 1 home on Bell Avenue
in Riverside (Belltown) 992 Square feet, 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
This house was a home to a family of 4 at the time of dedication.o
1 home on Olive Street in Corona§ 1160 Square feet, 3 bedrooms and
2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 6 at the time
of dedication. Construction begins on the fourth Moreno Valley home.
1997
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families moves into their new homes
in Riverside County (Belltown & Glen Avon) and Moreno Valley.
1
home on Farley Drive in Riverside County, Glen Avon. 1378 square
feet, 4 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family
of 6 at the time of dedication. 1 home on Paloma Road in Riverside
County, Belltown. 1512 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
This house was a home to a family of 7 at the time of dedication.
1 home on Scotty Lane in Moreno Valley. 1400 square feet, 4 bedrooms
and 2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 4 at the time
of dedication. Official ground-breaking for the Norco home and construction
begins.
1998
Four Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families move into their new
homes in Norco, Corona and Riverside: 1 home on Alhambra Street
in Norco. 1440 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This house
was a home to a family of 7 at the time of dedication. 1 home on
Aquamarine Lane in Corona. 1076 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5
bathrooms. 
This
house was a home to a family of 5 at the time of dedication. 1 home
on Bell Avenue in Riverside (Belltown). 1265 square feet, 4 bedrooms
and 2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 7 at the time
of dedication. This home was a Blitz Build homes in Belltown, built
in one week completed and dedicated in June 1998. 1 home on Jurupa
Avenue in Riverside. 1066 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.
This house was a home to a family of 7 at the time of dedication.
September begins the 10th year for Habitat for Humanity, Riverside.
As of this 10th anniversary Habitat for Humanity, Riverside had
built 20,637 square feet of housing including: 55 bedrooms, 29 bathrooms
and had given the opportunity of home ownership to 16 qualified
and deserving families. Habitat for Humanity affiliates Riverside
and San Bernardino opened the first Inland Empire ReStore as a joint
venture.
1999
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside family moves into their new home in Riverside County (Belltown). 1 home on Bell Avenue in Riverside, Belltown. 1100 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 5 at the time of dedication. Moreno Valley donates two houses to be renovated. City of Riverside donates a lot for a future project. Renovations completed on Moreno Valley house.
2000
Two, Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families’ moves into their
newly renovated homes in Moreno Valley.
2 homes on Eucalyptus Avenue in Moreno Valley. 840 square feet,
2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family
of 4 at the time of dedication. 1950 square feet, 6 bedrooms and
1 bathroom. This house was a home to a family of 5 at the time of
dedication. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside becomes sole owner of
ReStore City of Riverside donates two (2) lots for future projects.
City of Moreno Valley donates three (3) lots for future projects.
2001
Habitat for Humanity, Riverside family moves into their new home in Riverside. 1 home on 9th Street in Riverside. 1041 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 4 at the time of dedication. Groundbreaking on 3 lots in Moreno Valley.
2002
Partnership is formed between Provident Bank and Habitat for Humanity, Riverside to build a house in Moreno Valley.
2003
Two, Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families move into their new
homes in Riverside and Moreno Valley. 
1
home on 12th Street in Riverside. 1236 square feet, 4 bedrooms and
1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 6 at the time
of dedication. 1 home on Clover Avenue in Moreno Valley. 984 square
feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family
of 5 at the time of dedication. DH Horton adopts and constructs
one (1) house in Moreno Valley.
2004
Three, Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families move into their
new homes in Riverside and Moreno Valley. 
1
home on 12th Street in Riverside. 1236 square feet, 4 bedrooms and
1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 7 at the time
of dedication. 1 home on Clover Avenue in Moreno Valley. 984 square
feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family
of 4 at the time of dedication. 1 home on Clover Avenue in Moreno
Valley. 984 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This house
was a home to a family of 6 at the time of dedication. HCA/Riverside
Community Hospital sponsors a build
2005
Two, Habitat for Humanity, Riverside families move into their new homes in Riverside County (Belltown) and Riverside. 1 home on Paloma Road in Riverside County (Belltown). 1166 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 4 at the time of dedication. 1 home on Madison Street in Riverside. 1285 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This house was a home to a family of 8 at the time of dedication. Pulte Home Construction sponsors Habitat for Humanity, Riverside build. Habitat for Humanity, Riverside receives a donation of property in La Sierra from a private party donor.
2006
Habitat for Humanity Riverside agrees to manage construction of Loutenhiser home in Idyllwild, CA. Mark Loutzenheiser was a U.S. Forest Service firefighter killed along with his crew while fighting the Esperanza Fire.
2007
Habitat for Humanity Riverside completes the Loutzenheiser home in Idyllwild. The 1800 square foot home was dedicated on June 30, 2007. It was the first “green” home built by HFHR and incorporated many energy saving features. The City of Riverside partners with HFHR on a “green” home project in the Eastside neighborhood. The Habitat Board of Directors adopts a resolution supporting the City of Riverside’s Green Building Initiative. On December 20 HFHR breaks ground for our latest home on 11th Street in Riverside. The home will be the first “green” affordable home in the city.
2008
Two projects were completed. One family of 5 moved into a newly
remodeled home on Paloma Road in Belltown. This 1166 square foot
home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. In Riverside a family of 8
moved into their new “green” home. This 2100 square foot home has
4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and included many energy-saving features.
It was the first affordable energy efficient house in the County
of Riverside to receive a LEED “Platinum” certification. On October
25, 2008 Habitat for Humanity Riverside Celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Habitat agrees to partner with the Riverside YWCA to construct a
new facility for their “Born Free” program. “Born Free” is a residential
treatment home that houses chemically-dependent pregnant women so
that they can recover from addiction, give birth to healthy babies
and learn skills to become health self-sustaining members of society.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides a $150,000 grant for construction
of one home on 37th Street in Rubidoux.
2009
On August 12th the YWCA “Born Free” project is dedicated. The
2500 square foot duplex replaces a 1300 square foot house that was
leased by the YWCA for the program. On March 28th ground breaking
occurs for the Thrivent funded 37th Street home in Rubidoux. This
home was completed and dedicated in October 2009. This new house
provided a home for a family of 5. The site was formerly a drug
house and a neighborhood blight. The Riverside County Economic Development
Agency demolished the former drug house and gave the property to
HFHR for the new home.
HFHR adds a new program—“Helping Hands”. The program expands our
traditional homebuilding work, by providing minor exterior home
maintenance labor for eligible low/fixed income people residing
in local mobile home parks.
2010
On February 27 HFHR breaks ground for 2 homes on Graham Street
in the City of Moreno Valley. The two 1300 square foot houses will
provide homes for two single mothers and their families. HFHR receives
funding for purchase of foreclosed houses through the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program. 9 houses are purchased and under rehabilitation.
Community Development Block Grants are received to fund the “Helping
Hands” program within the City of Moreno Valley and City of Corona.
Community Action Partnership provides ARRA and CSBG dollars to HFHR
for Helping Hands and NSP program administration.